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TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION 



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PLAINFIELD, 



IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, M AS S AC UU S ETT3, 

MAY, 1834. 



BY JACOB'PORTER. 



■t 



" Land of brown heath anrl shaggy wood, 
Land of the mountain and the flood !" — Scott. 



GREENFIELD. 

PRIXTED BY PRINCE AND ROGERS. 
1834. 



, ^1i* 



HISTORY OF PLAINFIELD. 



SITUATION AND EXTENT. 



Plainfielb is a post township in the north-west corner of Hamp- 
shire county, Massachusetts, 20 miles north-west of Northampton, 
and 112 west of Boston. It is about 5 miles long from east to 
west, and about 4 wide from north to south. 

BOUNDARIES. 

It is bounded on the north by Hawley, east by Ashfield, both in 
Franklin county, south by Cummington, west by Windsor and 
Savoy, both in Berkshire county. 

According to a survey taken by Eliphalet Darling, in 1831, by 
order of the General Court, the particular boundaries are as fol- 
lows : — Beginning at the north-west corner, by a line running cast, 
19 degrees south, 1,594 rods=4 miles, 314 rods, which is the 
boundary between Hawley and Plainfield; thence south, 7 degrees 
west, 217 rods, thence south, 30 minutes east, 122 rods, thence 
east, 19 degress, 20 minutes south, 85 rods, thence south, 19 de- 
grees, 20 minutes west, 401 rods,=l mile, 81 rods, thence south, 
30 minutes east, 517 rods,=l mile, 197 rods, the boundaries be- 
tween Ashfield and Plainfield; thence west, 17 degrees south, 195 
rods, thence west, 20 degress north, 1,604 rods,=5 miles, 4 rods, 
the boundaries between Cummington and Plainfield; thence north, 
18 degrees east, 927 rods,=2 miles^ 287 rods, thence west, 18 
degrees north, 166 rods, the boundaries between Windsor and 
Plainfield; thence north, 18 degrees east, to the corner first men- 
tioned, 320 rods,=l mile, the boundary between Savoy and Plain- 
field. In conformity to a law of the commonwealth, passed March 



8, 1827, a stone monument, marked with the proper initials, has been 
erected at every corner. 

GEOLOGY. 

Two distinct and well characterized strata of rocks traverse this 
town in a north and south direction. Mica slate extends from 
Ashfield about two thirds of the distance to Savoy; talcose slate 
then commences and occupies the remainder of the township. 
These rocks are beautifully stratified; but the strata, instead of 
lying in their natural position, are turned up, so that their inclina- 
tion is perpendicular. Large blocks of granite, more particularly 
in the western part of the town, are seen in many places, resting 
on these strata, often near the summits of the hills. To the geol- 
ogist these are interesting, as they lead back his mind at once to 
that mighty rush of waters, probably the general deluge, M'hen 
they were driven to their present station, and enable him to 
account for the diluvial scratches observed on the ledges in this 
and the neighboring towns. 

"Talcose slate," says professor Hitchcock in his excellent Re- 
port on the Geology of Massachusetts, " is, in general, a mere 
variety of mica slate, talc taking the place of mica, or being super- 
added to it. Where the talcose slate, however, is most pure, so 
as in fact to be little else but slaty talc, with more or less quartz, 
the soil, which its decomposition produces, is decidedly inferior to 
that resulting from mica slate; and probably this is owing to the 
large quantity of magnesia, which talc contains. 

" Mica slate produces a soil of a medium quality. Some varie- 
ties of it underlie tracts of superior quality. But the most 
extensive tract of mica slate in Massachusetts consists of the high 
and mountainous region west of Connecticut river; so that it is 
difficult to compare the soil lying over it with that of formations at a 
lower level. The deep ravines, so common in the mica slate, 
furnish many fertile, though limited patches of ground; while the 
mountain sides are very superior for grazing." In the east part 
ofPlainfield, as the same writer elsewhere observes, " the geest 
is so abundant as to occupy most of the surface, the subjacent rock 
ecarcely appearing." 

The principal use of these rocks, besides that of fences, for 



U' 



5 

which they arc extensively employed, is for door stones, licarth 
stones and foundation stones for our buildings. For these purposes 
thcv" answer well, except that hearth stones commonly crack in the 
middle, after being cxjjoscdto heat. This rock was formerly made 
into gravestones; but this use of it is now superseded by tlie intro- 
duction of the Berkshire marble. With us it has not yet been 
•wrought into whetstones, though the finer varieties answer well 
for this purpose, and manufactories of the kind have been estab- 
lished in some of the neighboring towns, particularly Cummington 
and Norwich. The talcose slate bears the fire much better than 
mica slate, and is, on this account, sometimes used for jambs. 

" In Plainfield and Hawley," says professor Hitchcock, " a 
variety of talcose slate occurs, in which are disseminated numer- 
ous crystals of black hornblende. The talc is green, and the 
quartz white, and the rock admits of a polish. Sometimes the talc 
almost disappears; and then we. have a white base with black 
crystals imbedded. In short, I feel satisfied that this rock would 
form a beautiful ornamental stone, if wrought into tables, urns, 
chimney pieces, and tlic like. Large blocks of it might be obtained, 
which would be very firm throughout." 

Some varieties of our rocks are remarkably beautiful, and are 
often noticed by geologists as such. " In truth," says professor 
Eaton, " there is more beauty in the structure of the rocks of 
Hawley and Plainfield than of any other place, that I ever visited." 

MINERALOGY. 

Few towns afford so rich and diversified a mineralogy as this; 
and it is frequently visited by naturalists from )iiotives of curiosity 
and science, particularly for the purpose of enriching their cabinets. 
The following is a list of the principal minerals, so far as they 
have been hitherto discovered. 

Limestone, darkcolored, scintilating and very fetid. 

Limpid quartz, sometimes crystalizcd. Fragments of this variety 
are frequently picked up in the streets and fields. 

Smoky quartz, both crystalized and amorphous. The largest 
crystal, that has been discovered, is about 3 inches long and 2 broad. 

Irised quartz. Its colors, which are generally red, yellow or 
orange, and very delicate, seem to arise from a thin coat of metallic 
oxyd on the surface, or in its fissures. 



Blue quartz, well characterized. 

Lammatech quartz. It occurs both of the milky and smoky vari- 
eties. 

Kyanite, in small quantities in mica slate. The color is not 
deep but delicate. 

Black tourmaline, common. The crystals are generally small, 
finely striated, with shining surfaces, and confusedly intermixed. 
Beautiful specimens of the radiated variety have been found a little 
east of the meeting house. 

Garnets, very abundant in mica slate, also in talcose slate. 
Several years since, a large mass of limpid quartz was discovered 
in a wall near the mine of manganese on John Bisbee's land, in 
which was imbedded a great number of garnets of uncommon 
beauty, much resembling the precious garnet. Specimens of this 
singular aggregate were sent to various mineralogists, and it is 
described by professor Silliman in the fourth volume of the Amer- 
ican Journal of Science, and by professor Hitchcock in the sixth 
volume of the same work. The latter describes the garnets as 
" trapezohedrons, or having at least as many as twenty-four 
sides;" and the former says, "They are trapezoidal and rhomboidal; 
often translucent and rich in color, and truncated deeply on the 
solid edges." 

Epidote, amorphous and crystalized. 

Amianthus, in quartz, found in the pasture of James Loud. Its 
color is white. 

Common hornblende. This occurs well crystalized and com- 
monly darkcolored. 

Fasciculite of Hitchcock. This variety of hornblende is very 
common here. Its crystals have a very singular and beautiful 
appearance, resembling bundles of rods tied together near the 
middle, and thence diverging. An excellent figure of this variety 
is given by professor Hitchcock in the sixth volume of the Amer- 
ican Journal of Science. 

Common serpentine, in loose masses. This stone, which is of a 
dark green color and extremely hard, takes a fine polish, and might 
be manufactured to great advantage into morlarsfor apothecaries, 
also into table furniture, such as bowls, plates and the like. For 
these purposes it would possess unrivalled beauty. 

Common chlorite, well characterized. 



Common clay, from which bricks arc manufactured in suflicicnt 
quantities for the use of the inhabitants. 

Porcelain clay. A quantity, mixed with imperfect crystals of 
quartz, was thrown up in digging Orrin Tirrill's well. 

Sulphur, pulverulent, in the same rock with the cummingtonitc. 
Sulphuret of iron, very common, particularly in granular quartz, 
also in serpentine. According to professor Hitchcock, it is found 
also in limpid quartz. 

jNIagnetic oxyd of iron. Masses have been found near the new 
leather manufactory, on the west side of the brook, exactly re- 
sembling the ore from Ilawley. It also occurs in well defined 
octahedral crystals in mica slate and gneiss ; also in small cubic 
crystals in granular quartz. 

Specular oxyd of iron, in small quantities. 

Carbonate of iron, beautifully crystalized in rhombs, which are 
nearly white, have a shining surface, and are frequently curved or 
undulated. 

Black oxyd of manganese. There are two mines of this ore in 
the south-west part of the town ; one on William Robinson's land, 
the other on John Bisbee's. 

Bisilicate of manganese. This is found at the mine on John 
Bisbee's land. It is of a light, but very lively rose red color, 
associated with the gray oxyd; and around both the black oxyd 
commonly forms an envelope. A specimen of this mineral from 
Cummington, (where it occurs, perhaps in greater abundance 
than with us,) was sent by Doctor Torrey of New York to the 
celebrated chymist, professor Thomson of Glasgow, by whom it 
was analyzed and described under this name in the third volume of 
the Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. 

Professor Hitchcock, who visited one of our mines of manganese 
in 1831, thus describes them in his Report on the Geology of Mas- 
sachusetts. " Beds of the oxyd of manganese occur in two places 
in this town, — one a mile west of the center, and the other near 
the south-west corner of the town; and both in talcose slate. Two 
ores are associated at both these places, the common gray or 
black oxyd and the silicious oxyd, the gray or black oxyd invest- 
ing the latter as a black crust, and most probably arising from 
its decomposition; while the latter, when newly broken, is of a 
delicate rose red. I suspect the silicious oxyd predominates at 



8 

these places ; and from these beds probably camej by diluvial 
action, those numerous rounded masses of silicious oxyd in the 
vicinity of Cummington meeting house, although a deep valley 
intervenes, and the distance is three or four miles. An attempt 
was made, some years ago, to explore one of these beds, under 
the impression that the ore was iron. But how extensive either of 
them is, it is difficult to determine, as each seems to consist of a 
number of small beds, — or rather the ore is interlaminated with the 
slate. The occurrence of so much silicious oxyd at these locali- 
ties is very interesting to the mineralogist, because this ore is so 
rare in Europe." 

The same writer observes that " in a metallic state this mineral 
is of no use; and, indeed, it is reduced to that state with great 
difficulty. But, in the state of oxyd, it is extensively employed, 
both to remove color from glass, and to impart colors ; also in paint- 
ing porcelain and glazing pottery, and still more extensively, 
within a few years, in the manufacture ofthe chloride of lime, now 
so generally used in bleaching and for disinfection." 

Red oxyd of titanium, in small quantities. 

Sulphuret ofmolybdena, in small quantities, in gneiss. 

Cummingtonite. Several years since a very curious mineral was 
discovered at Cummington and at Plainfield, at both which places 
it occurs in large quantities. Specimens were sent to the most emi- 
nent mineralogists in the country. After a considerable time had 
elapsed, it was described by professor Dewey, in the eighth volume 
of the American Journal of Science, under the name of cumming- 
tonite, from the place where it was first discovered. " I have given," 
said he, " this name to a mineral found by Doctor J. Porter in 
Cummington. It appears to be a variety of epidote. Its color is 
gray, sometimes with a faint reddish tinge, unless when acted on by 
the weather, when its color is yellowish. It is in indistinct prisms 
with oblique seams like zoisite, and in radiated or fascicled masses, 
which are composed of slender prisms. Luster somewhat shining 
or pearly. It is nearly as hard as quartz, and sometimes makes a 
slight impression upon rock crystal. Before the blowpipe it 
blackens, and a small portion melts, when the heat is very great, 
into a black slag, which is attracted by the magnet. Its point of 
fusion seems to be about the same as that of zoisite. After allow- 
ing for some absorption, the specific gravity may be taken at 



about 3. 42. It is so peculiar a mineral, tbat it deserves, even as 
a variety, a distinct name. 

" ^yith quartz and garnets it forms a large mass in Cummington. 
The cavities in the rock contain pulverulent sulphur of a dirty 
greenish color, and minute crystals of magnetic oxyd of iron are 
also found in it." 

A delicate variety has since been discovered, in which the crys- 
tals are much smaller, and the garnets minute, and of a light reddish 
color. Specimens of this mineral were likewise sent to Doctor 
Thomson of Glasgow, by whom it was analyzed, and, in Septem- 
ber, 182S, a communication from him was read before the Lyceum 
of Natural History of New York, in which it is stated that " cum- 
mingtonite is undoubtedly a new mineral species, allied to karpho- 
lite." 

In this connection I may observe that a deposit of gold has 
been discovered at Somerset, Vermont, in the range of talcoso 
slate, that passes through this town; and it may be well for us to 
search for it here. Professor Hitchcock says expressly, " I know 
I of no place wher<; the formation is so perfectly developed in its 

ii character as in Hawley and Plainfield. There is then, surely, as 

much ground for presuming that gold will be found in Massachu- 
setts, as there was for predicting its discovery in Vermont." And 
he mentions the vicinity of the Plainfield beds of manganese as one 
of the localities where it might be looked for with great probability 
of success. To those disposed to search for this precious metal I 
would observe that they will be most likely to find it by looking a 
little to the south or south-east ol the range of talcose slate, as 
the rush of waters, that tore up our strata, was evidently from the 
north, or rather the north-west, and of course drove the rocks and 
earth in an opposite direction, 

SURFACE. 

This township lies on the eastern side of the Green INIountains. 
As might be expected, the surface is undulating and, in many 
parts, rough and broken; less so, however, than that of the adjoin- 
ing towns. Indeed, the summit of East Hill, on which is the prin- 
cipal village, may be considered as level through nearly the whole 
breadth of the town. 

2 



10 

The lover of natural scenery is often gratified with fine views; 
indeed, from many eminences the pastures and fields may be 
viewed as a map. Walking in the woods is also extremely delight- 
ful, especially in the spring; and the writer has enjoyed many a 
ramble through the grove and over 

"The cragiry hill, where rocks with wild flowers crowned, 

Burst from die shady copse and verdant ground ; 

Wliere sportive nature every form assumes, 

And sweetly loN-ish spreads a tiiousand blooms." 

PONDS AND STREAMS. 

There are two ponds, both in the north-west part of the town, 
the North Pond, which is about a mile long, and about half a mile 
wide, and the Crooked Pond, so called from its figure. The sce- 
nery around these ponds is wild, and may, perhaps, be said to 
partake of the gloomy, for here, for the most part, the forests have 
never been touched, and nature, in all her wildness, 
"Still on her bosom wears the enameled vest, 
That bloomed and budded on bcr infant breast." — Pierpont. 

The waters of the North Pond empty into Deerfield river at 
Charlemont, and thence into the Connecticut at Deerfield, while 
those of the Crooked Pond empty into the South Pond in Wind- 
sor, which is the head of one of the branches of Westfield river, 
and fall into the Connecticut at West Springfield. The North 
Pond is dotted with islands, and is a favorite place of resort for 
anglers and parties of pleasure; and both have peculiar attractions 
to the botanist, as some very rare and interesting aquatic plants 
are found on the shores, and in the water. 

As these ponds are but scantily supplied with fish, I would 
respectfully suggest to our enterprising young men, particularly 
such as are fond of angling, the expediency and importance of 
introducing into them not only the best kinds offish found elsewhere 
in our waters, but those, which are generally considered as belong- 
ing to the sea, such as the herring, salmon, mackerel, cod, haddock 
and others. That the experiment would not succeed we have no 
suflicient reason for saying; indeed, it is said that it has succeeded 
in England and, so far as experiments have been tried, in this 
country. Whoever should accomplish so benevolent an undertaking, 



II 

would be considered a public benefactor, and might probably live 
to see every one's mouth full of the consequences. 

There are no large streams in this town. Mill Brook, running 
from north-west to south-east through the center of the town, is the 
largest. On this stream there are three sawmills, a corn mill, 
two cloth manufactories and a tannory. In one of the sawmills 
there is an apparatus for turning broom handlos, and in the corn 
mill one for turning shoe lasts. An improved machine for turning 
broom handles, for which a patent is obtained, has been invented 
by John Bisbee of this place. 

There is a smaller stream in the west part of the town, on which 
is a sawmill; and another in the east, on which is a sawmill and 
a cloth manufactory. There is another sawmill on a small stream 
in the north-east corner of the town. 

The township is exceedingly well supplied with springs of excel- 
lent water. To many of the houses it is brought in pipes at a 
trifling expense. The village a little east of the meeting house is 
supplied from a spring more than half a mile distant, at an expense 
of 22 dollars a year. Wooden pipes are the only ones hitherto 
used. 

SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 

The native timber of our forests consists principally of maple, 
(of which we have four species,) beech, birch, hemloc, spruce, fir 
and cherry. From the sugar maple large quantities of sugar are 
manufactured. A variety, called the bird's eye maple, is highly 
esteemed for cabinet work. Cherry is also much used for the same 
purpose. Our boards and shingles are generally made of hemloc 
and spruce. Large quantities of hemloc bark are used for tanning 
leather. It sells at about 2 dollars, 50 cents a cord. 

The price of wood for fuel, standing, is about 20 cents a cord; 
delivered at one's door, from one dollar to one dollar, 25 cents. 

As there is very little underbrush in our woods, our farmers are 
not troubled with bushes. Fields once cleared remain free from 
these intruders, so troublesome in the eastern part of the state. 

For a list of our native plants the botanist is referred to profes- 
sor Hitchcock's Catalogue of Plants growing in the Vicinity of 
Amherst College. A more full and complete account is given by 



12 

the same gentleman in his Report on the Geology, Mineralogy, 
Botany and Zoology of Massachusetts. 

A collection of the plants, as well as of the minerals found here 
and in the vicinity, has been made by the writer. 

Several years since the practice of setting out that very beau- 
tiful and useful tree, the sugar maple, by our road sides, was 
introduced by the writer of this article. Several of our streets are 
now ornamented in this way; and it is highly desirable that the 
practice should become general. The mountain ash and locust 
have also, of late, been transplanted into our dooryards. 

To those desirous of enriching their inclosures with ornamental 
shrubbery, I would observe that plants might be selected from 
our woods and swamps, such, for instance, as the different species 
of kalmia, the common prinos or winter berry, the downyleaved 
spirea or hardback, the rosemaryleaved andromeda and the sweet 
briar or eglantine, which would rival the finest productions of our 
botanic gardens. To these might be added some of our finest 
herbaceous plants, such as the swamp lily, the climbing corydalis, 
the ladies' slipper, the purple sarracenia or forefathers' pitcher 
and the like. Were such plants as these tastefully arranged and 
carefully cultivated among us, they would diffuse a charm around 
our dwellings, and be a source of the purest pleasure. 

This township has a good, strong soil, very well adapted for grass. 
Indian corn, wheat and rye are raised without difficulty, but not 
in sufficient quantities for the use of the inhabitants. Potatoes 
and oats of excellent quality are very easily raised. Might not 
molasses be profitably manufactured here from potatoes? 

The apple thrives well; and it is believed that the peach, plum, 
cherry and grape might be cultivated with proper care. Our wild 
fruits, such as the strawberry and thimbleberry, might, doubtless, 
be greatly improved by transplanting them into our gardens. Hor- 
ticulture, however, has not hitherto received that attention among 
us, which it so justly merits. 

Labor is from 50 cents to a dollar a day. 

ROADS. 

A county road leading from Ashfield to Savoy passes through 
the center of the town; and two other county roads pass through 



13 

parts of the town. Almost the whole town is intersected by roads, 
as the convenience of the inhabitants requires. These are kept in 
good repair by an annual tax of about 700 dollars, paid in labor at 
one dollar a day. 

BURIAL GROUNDS. 

Several burial grounds have been successively opened in this 
place. These, it must be confessed, have been too much neglected, 
and are now in a state, tliat indicates but little respect to the 
memory of the dead. In 1808 a new burying ground was opened 
a little north of the meeting house. This has since been inclosed 
with a stone fence, and has the appearance of neatness and order. 
The first person buried here was lieutenant Solomon Shaw, though 
two of his grandchildren were afterwards taken up and laid by his 
side. White marble from Lanesborough is generally used for 
gravestones. 

SCHOOLS. 

The town is divided into seven school districts. One of them, 
however, containing but a few scholars, is considered as a half 
district, and draws its money accordingly. In each of the districts 
there is a convenient house for the use of the school, that in the 
east district being of brick, the others of wood. 

The length of time, that the schools are taught, varies. As 
a general estimate, it may be said that each school is taught 
in the winter about three months by a male instructor, and about as 
long in the summer by a female. The whole number of scholars, 
on an average, may be estimated at 350. According to the return 
of the school committee for 1832, the aggregate time of keeping 
schools was 18 months by male, and 24 by female teachers; and 
the whole number of pupils, 360. 

These schools are supported by an annual tax of about 350 

dollars. This sum, by a vote passed March 12, 1827, is distributed 

to the different districts in the following proportions; to the center 

district, 16 dollars; to the others, 10 dollars each, except the west 

or half district, which has 5 dollars. A select school is frequently 

taught, generally consisting of both sexes, sometimes of females 
only. 



14 

A school for instruction in sacred music is also occasionally 
taught here at the expense of the town. 

The most important school, however, that has ever been taught 
in this place, was that kept by the first clergyman of the parish. 
This school was commenced early in the year 1793, and continued 
without interruption till September, 1824. More than 300 scholars 
have attended it. Among those, who here received the early part 
of their education, and have since risen to distinction, are William 
Cullen Bryant, the poet; James Richards, Jonas King, Pliny 
Fisk, Levi Parsons and William Richards, foreign missionaries; 
William Hale Maynard, Jeremiah Humphrey Hallock; James 
Hayward, late professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in 
Harvard University, and Sylvester Hovey, late professor of the 
same branches in Amherst College. 

LIBRARIES. 

A social library was established in the south-east part of the 
town in April, 1832. It contains 97 volumes. The number of 
private libraries is not great. The largest is that belonging to the 
writer, which consists of about 400 volumes, some of them of great 
variety and value; besides a collection of about 1,200 pamphlets. 

LYCEUM. 

In December, 1832, a Lyceum was formed for mutual improve- 
ment. The number of members is respectable; and the meetings 
hitherto have been interesting and well attended. 

GRADUATES. 

The following is a list of those, who have received a public 
education. Though the number is not great, it is believed they 
will not suffer by a comparison with those of any other place in our 
country. 

1. James Richards, ^on of deacon James Richards, and born at 
Abington, February 23, 1784, was graduated at Williams College 
in 1809. He studied divinity at Andover, where he completed his 
education in 1812. 

It is supposed by his friends that he became a decided Christian, 
when about fourteen years old. He was enabled ever after to 



15 

support a Christian character and deportment, always manifesting 
a regard for religion; — was a strict observer of the sabbath, and a 
constant attendant on the public worship of God, and other religious 
meetings. In August, 1805, he publicly professed his faith in 
Christ, and united with the Congregational church in Plainfield. 
For many years it Avas his habitual practice to devote one day in 
every month to secret fasting and prayer. 

While at college, he with some others, of whom Samuel John 
Mills was the leader, concerted a plan for the conversion of the 
world, and prayed into existence the American Board of Commis- 
sioners for Foreign Missions. This plan was afterwards still further 
matured at Andover; and in September, 1811, not long after the 
formation of the American Board, Mr. Richards offered himself as 
a missionary to the heathen, and was taken under their patronage. 

After completing his theological education, he devoted consider- 
able time, under the direction of the Board, to the study of medicine 
and surgery, with a view to increased usefulness among the 
heathen. He attended a course of lectures at Hanover, and two 
courses at Philadelphia, where he was engaged for some time in 
the Pennsylvania Hospital. In view of his multiplied engagements 
while here, for he sometimes had more on hand than he could 
possibly perform, he remarkad in a letter to his friends; "It is 
much more pleasant to be hurried in business than to be idle." 

June 12, 1915, he was ordained with five others at Newburyport, 
and sailed October 23, for Columbo, where he arrived after a 
prosperous voyage of five months. When asked, afterwards, how 
he could refrain from weeping at the time of leaving his native coun- 
try, and all, that was dear to him there, he replied, " Why should 
I have wept? I had been waiting with anxiety almost eight years 
for an opportunity to go and preach Christ among the heathen. I 
had often wept at the long delay. But the day, on which I bade 
farewell to my native land, was the happiest day of my life." It 
was not long, however, before he was so debilitated by the influ- 
ence of a tropical climate and undue exposure as to be incapable of 
much active service. This was to him a very severe trial, for he 
ever retained a strong partiality for the missionary work, as may be 
seen by the following extract of a letter to his brother. 

" Could the friends of missions in America see the things, which 
I see, and hear the things, which I hear, they would not withhold 



16 

their contributions from the treasury of the Lord. Could they see^ 
as I do, the hearts of my brethren and sisters united " as the heart 
of one man;" could they behold those wretched heathen from day 
to day, carrying on their breasts and on their foreheads the badges 
of heathenism, and know the cruel bondage, in which they are held, 
there would, I think, be no more need of missionary sermons and 
missionary agents to unlock the coffers of the rich. The country 
would be all in motion. Some would give their thousands, and 
multitudes their dollars and cents, till the treasury of the Lord 
should be filled. If the object could not be efiected in any other 
way, some would live on bread and water, and others would sell 
their houses and lands, to furnish the means of enlightening the 
heathen, — of making known to them the only Redeemer of sin- 
ners." 

The following extracts from letters addressed also to his brother 
breathe the same intense feeling on the subject of missions to the 
heathen. From Batticotta, April 17, 1820, he writes: "How 
long, O! how long will Christians continue to sleep over the mis- 
eries of a fallen world! I would give the Christian world all the 
credit for all they fee], and for all they do, for the salvation of 
sinners. But I do think that the majority of the Christian world 
are still asleep, or, at most, but half awake. Even New England 
Christians are only beginning to awake. O! for another Mills — 
for another Buchanan — for another Harriet!" From the same 
place, February 23, 1821, he says, "The principal trial, that I 
now experience on account of my sickness, is inability to do the 
proper work of a missionary. And this is a great trial, both by 
day and by night. No other subject ever engrossed my feelings 
like that of preaching Christ to the heathen. To the accomplish- 
ment of this object I have endeavored to direct all my plans, and 
all my actions. For this I left almost all, that was dear to me in 
life, and came to this land of pagan darkness to publish the Sa- 
vior's love to stupid idolaters. And now, when the miseries of 
the heathen are full in my view, it is my great trial not to be able 
to preach to them." 

After several years of protracted suffering, he expired at 
Tillipally in Ceylon, August 3, 1822. " He died rejoicing in the 
hope of a glorious immortality." He was buried in the afternoon 
of the next day, (which was the Lord's day,) and coaverted heathen 
carried him to his grave. 



17 

" His sound judgment, meeknes3, disinterestedness, faithfulness, 
love to his Savior, to his follow missionaries, to the heathen, — • 
his piety towards God, and universal benevolence to men; — ren* 
dcrcd him a truly valuahle laborer in the vineyard of the Lord." 
lie may justly be considered as one of the first martyrs from this 
country in the high and holy cause of missions to the heathen. 

A monument, bearing the following inscription in English and 
in Tamul, was placed over his grave by his bereaved widow. 
In memory of 
The Rev. James Richards, A. M. 
American IVIissionary, 
who died August 3, 1822, 
Aged 38 years. 
One of the first projectors of American Missions, 
He gave himself first to Christ, and then to the heathen< 
A physician both to soul and body, 
He was 
In health, laborious. 
In sickness, patient, 
In death, triumphant. 
He is not, for God took him. 



Tamul Inscription translated. 

In memory of 
The Rev. James Richards, A. M, 

American Missionary, 

who died August 3, 1822, 

Aged 38 years. 

Reader, 

He came to this country to tell you that, excepting 

through Christ Jesus, there is no way to 

escape Hell, and obtain Heaven. 

Believing in this Savior, 

He died, rejoicing in hope of eternal happiness. 

Let all, who read this, prepare for death also. 

The English inscription was written by the Reverend M. Winslow, 

that in Tamul, by the Reverend H. Woodward. 

2. Cyrus Joy, son to Jacob Joy, was graduated at Williams 
College in 1811. He studied law and practiced at Northampton, 



18 

and afterwards in this place. He relinquished the practice several 
years since, and now resides in Philadelphia. 

3. William Allen Hallock, son of the Reverend Moses Hallock, 
was born June 2, 1794, and graduated at Williams College in 1819. 
He studied divinity at Andover, and while there, was chosen agent, 
and afterwards assistant secretary to the American Tract Society, 
at that time located at Andover. He assisted in the formation 
of the American Tract Society at New York in 1825, and was 
chosen the first corresponding secretary and general agent, in 
which offices he still continues, much to the satisfaction of the soci- 
ety and the public. 

This society has stereotyped nearly 700 publications, including 
about 20 standard evangelical volumes, has printed 35,000,000 
copies, and has remitted upwards of 30,000 dollars to aid in the 
circulation of tracts in heathen lands. 

4. Gerard Hallock, son of the Reverend Moses Hallock, was 
born March 18, 1800, and graduated at Williams College in 1819. 
He was engaged for a while in instructing youth, particularly as 
preceptor of Amherst Academy. He afterwards commenced a 
religious and miscellaneous paper in Boston, entitled the Boston 
Telegraph. After being published for one year, a union was 
formed between this paper and the Boston Recorder, and Mr. 
Hallock continued in the editorship of the united paper till the 
middle of 1826, when he transferred his interest in the establish- 
ment to the Reverend Asa Rand. He then removed to New York, 
where he became one of the editors and proprietors of the New 
York Observer, which paper he continued till Januury, 1829. 
He is now joint editor and proprietor of the New York Journal of 
Commerce, one of the largest newspaper establishments in the 
United States. 

5, James Hayward, son of captain James Hayward, was gradu- 
ated at Harvard University in 1819. In 1820 he was appointed 
tutor in the department of mathematics and natural philosophy; and 
in 1826, was made college professor iu the same department. 
This otTice he resigned in 1827, being appointed a member of the 
Board of Internal Improvement for the state of Massachusetts, and 
engineer to that Board. In 1829 he published at Cambridge 
Elements of Geometry upon the Inductive Method. 

6. William Richards, son to deacon James Richards, born 



19 

August 22, 1793, was graduated at Williams College in 1819. He 
studied divinity at Andover Theological Seminary, and was ordained 
as a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners for 
Foreign Missions at New Haven, September 12, 1822. He 
sailed with his wife from New Haven for the Sandwich Islands, 
November 19, the same year, where he arrived in April, 1823. 
His labors here appear to have been very acceptable and useful. 
" He resides in the village of Lahaina, (in the island of JVIaui,) 
one of the most delightful spots in the Sandwich Islands He has 
a bc\3utiful house built of coral by the natives, two stories high, 
plastered and whitewashed witliin and witliout, with a piazza and 
handsome yard in front. He has a fertile garden spot, in which 
every thing wished for may be raised with suitalile care." " He 
preaches in a new coral meeting house to an audienco of about 
2,500. This house, which was built by the natives with very little 
expense to the mission, has a gallery, bcllfry and bell, is plastered 
and whitewashed within and without, with a floor of hewn coral 
covered with mats." " It is the most substantial and noble structure 
in Polynesia." "There are," says a writer in the Nantucket Inquir- 
er, "about sixty church members, (exclusive of the missionary fami- 
lies,)" later accounts say 195 in all, " rriany of them native chiefs. A 
Temperance Society has been formed, which consists of about 
forty members. There is not a shop for the sale of ardent spirits 
on the island, and, indeed, the traffic is rigidly prohibited. 

" Of the necessaries and conveniences of life there is a very 
bountiful supply, together with many of the luxuries used in this 
country, including an ample stock of dry goods and other mer- 
chandize, — and, in short, all the indications of civilized l:fe. The 
people are kind and hospitable, the climate mild, and the soil 
fertile, — all presenting numerous inducements to a residence there. 
This island is considered the most productive of the whole group." 

It must be extremely gratifying to the friends of the Redeemer 
to learn that the missionaries have translated and published the 
New Testament in the language of these islands. 

7. Tilly Brown Hayward, son of captain James Hayward, was 
born April 2, 1797, and graduated at Harvard University in 1820. 
Since this time he has been employed in the instruction of youth. 

8. Austin Richards son of deacon James Richards, and born 
February 9, 1800, was educated at Amherst College. He be- 



so 

longed to the class of 1824, and, after the institution was incorpo- 
rated, received the degree of bachelor of arts. He studied divinity 
at Andover, and was ordained as minister of Francestown, New 
Hampshire, November 7, 1827. 

9. Erastus Dickinson, son of Ebenezer Dickinson, was born 
April 1, 1807, and graduated at Amherst College in 1832. He is 
now a member of Auburn Theological Seminary. 

POPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants from the settlement of the town to the 
census of 1790 can not be accurately ascertained. In that year 
there. were 458; in 1800,797; in 1810, 977; in 1820, 936; in 
1830, 933. This slow increase is owing to no unusual cause, 
except the great number of emigrations. 

The number of ratable polls is 220. The number of voters, ac- 
cording to a list made out by the selectmen in March, 1834, is 207. 

BILL OF MORTALITY. 

The church records furnish by far the most complete list of 
deaths; those of the district and town being considered too imper- 
fect in this respect to be of much value. Unfortunately, in the 
church records, the ages are not given till 1802. The following 
table exhibits the most complete list, that I have been able to obtain, 
of the deaths from 1785, inclusive, to the present time, with the 
name and age of the oldest person, who died in each year from 
1802. Such of our inhabitants as died abroad are not reckoned in 
this list. 

1785, 2 

1786, 2 

1787, 8 

1788, 6 

1789, 2 

1790, 3 

1791, 6 

1792, 7 

1793, 3 

1802, 9 Widow Macintire, 

1803, SO John Carr, 



1794, 


18 


1795, 


2 


1796, 


11 


1797, 


8 


1798, 





1799, 


10 


1800, 


13 


1801, 


18 




83. 




94. 



21 

Jacob Gloyd, 71. 

Deacon John Packard's wife, GO. 

Widow Whiton, 8G. 

Deacon John Packard, 71. 

]\[oses Curtis, 86. 

Jacob Hawes, 68. 

Widow Snow, 81. 

Scth Ford's Avife, . 86. 

Jacob Joy, 77. 

Deacon Joseph Bcals, 61. 

Ebenezer Bcals, 83. 

Jepthah Pool's wife, 60. 

Widow Hannah Colson, 96. 

Caleb Beals, ' 60. 

Widow Hannah Smith, - 75. 

Widow Shaw, 81. 

John Joy's wife, 39. 

Benjamin Pool, b&. 

Widow Daniels, 76. 

Joseph Pool, 84. 

Samuel Whitman, 93. 

Deacon Gideon Shaw, 80. 

liCvi Stetson, 80. 

Caleb Joy, 76. 

Amnion White, 82. 

Noah Packard's wife, • 75. 

Benjamin Carr's wife, 82. 

Widow Abigail Vining, 71. 

Jacob Clarke, 77. 

Gideon Hammond, 90. 

In the years 1794 and 1803 the scarlet fever prevailed; in 1806, 
the typhus fever. It is remarkable that, in the year 1798, there 

was no death; also, from j!* ugusr 5, 1827, to March 17, If 28, 

more than seven months, no person died. No instance of suicide 
or murder ever occurred in this town. 

The following deaths seem worthy of particular notice. Jan- 
uary 9, 1804, Lucinda Packard of this town, but resident in 
Cummington, was found dead in her bed. May 19, 1804, James 

Thayer was drowned at Cummington, aged 21. " June 22, 1812, 



1804, 


15 


1805, 


\\ 


1806, 


15 


1807, 


14 


1808, 


18 


1809, 


8 


1810, 


15 


1811, 


11 


1812, 


12 


1813, 


17 


1814, 


16 


1815, 


13 


1816, 


11 


1817, 


12 


1818, 


14 


1819, 


14 


1820, 


7 


1821, 


12 


1322, 


10 


1823, 


13 


1824, 


15 


1825, 


13 


1826, 


16 


1827, 


8 


1828, 


9 


1829, 


13 


1833, 


17 


1831, 


13 


1832, 


7 


1833, 


9 



22 

Levi Stetson, junior, was killed almost instantly by the fall of a 
tree, aged 35." August 11, the same year, " the wife of Gideon 
Hammond died in her chair at work, instantly, as is supposed; 
probably of the dropsy. Her husband awoke from a short nap 
after dinner, and found her sitting at her quillwheel, dead. Her 
age was 51." October 22, 1817, a son of Judson Stetson died 
from a bean in the windpipe, aged 5. May 4, 1820, Daniel Brown 
was killed instantly by a milllog rolling over him. May 10, 1828, 
the wife of Benjamin Towne, aged 39, was found, after much 
search, dead in the woods at Hawley, having wandered from home 
several days before, in a state of derangement. October 28, 
1831, Clarissa Stetson, aged 8, died in consequence of her clothes' 
taking fire. July 11, 1833, Samuel Swift, residing in this place, 
was killed instantly, at Cummington, by the fall of a tree, aged 
about 50. March 8, 1834, Charles Bela Dyer, 2 years old, died 
in consequence of a piece of apple in the windpipe. 

" Man is like a vapor ; 

His life is like a shadow, that passeth away." — David. 

CIVIL HISTORY. 

It does not appear that the Indians ever resided on these moun- 
tains, though, doubtless, their hunting parties occasionally traversed 
them in pursuit of game. The only antiquity , belonging to the 
natives of the forest, that has been found here within my knowledge, 
is an arrowhead; and this is unfortunately lost. 

Cummington, including Plainfield, was sold by the General 
Court to colonel John Cummings of Concord, June 2, 1762. The 
first meeting of the proprietors was held at Concord, December 
21, the same year. The first meeting held at Cummington was on 
the third Wednesday of June, 1771. 

The first person, who resided within the present limits of the 
town, was a Scotchman by the name of Macintire, who, with his 
lamily, began a settlement here in March, 1770. In the true spirit 
of Scotch hospitality, they used to prepare a haggess at each of 
their daughters' wedding feasts. 

Many of the early settlers came from Bridgewater and Abington. 
Captain Joseph Joy is the first male inhabitant now living. Widow 
Ruth Cook, now in her ninety-fifth year, is the earliest settler 



£3 

living, and the oldest person in town. Her son, John Cook, who 
was born October 27, 1778, is, so far as is known, the first person 
born in the town. 

One of the first settlers, lately deceased, informea ftjethat deer 
were very common here about 50 years since, and that he had seen 
tracks made by them in the snow similar to the paths made by our 
cattle in going to drink, and that a large number of them made 
their head quarters on Deer Hill in Cummington, but were entirely 
extirpated by the hunters of those days. He also said that one 
was caught by some hunters at a time when the snow in the woods 
would not bear him up, and, one of the party taking a fancy to ride 
him, he was tied on by the feet, and a bridle being put into the 
animal's mouth, he galloped off" with his rider in full speed On 
coming, however, to a cleared spot, the crust was so hard as to 
bear up both the deer and his rider, so that, owing to the intracta- 
ble disposition of his beast, and the rapidity and eccentricity of his 
movements, his airing was not the most agreeable. Wolves and 
bears were also not uncommon in these early times. 

It is believed that in the revolutionary struggle this town furnished 
its full proportion of men and means, as the present number of 
pensioners seems to show. 

Cummington including Plainfield was incorporated as a town 
June 23, 1779. The first town meeting was held December 20, 
the same year. Plainfield was incorporated ss a district of Cum- 
mington, jNIarch 16, 1785. The first district meeting was notified 
and warned by Isaac Joy, pursuant to a warrant from Nahum 
Eager, esquire, of Worthington. This meeting was holden in the 
house of Simon Burroughs on Monday, July 25, 17Sa. Ebenezer 
Colson acted as moderator, and the following were the principal 
officers chosen: Joshua Shaw, district clerk; Ebenezer Colson, 
John Packard and John Cunningham, selectmen; Joshua Shaw, 
district treasurer; Isaac Joy and John Packard, tythingmen; John 
Streeter, deerreve. A deerreve was also chosen the next year. 

In tlic insurrection under Shays in 1786, several of the inhabi- 
tants took a part. They were, however, soon convinced that they 
were in the wrong, and took the oath of allegiance. 

March 22, 1790. " Voted to raise twenty pounds for schooling 
the ensuing year." April 5, 1790. " Voted to build school houses 
in each district for schooling." 



24 

February 4, 1794, Joseph Clarke and Jonathan Beals with their 
families, together with all the lands lying north of a strait line from 
the south-east corner of Plainfield to the south-west corner of 
Ashfield wM s'e t off from the town of Ashfield, and annexed to the 
district of Plainfield. June 21, 1803, one mile of the southerly 
part of Hawley was set off to the district of Plainfield. 

IVIay, 15, 1806, it was " voted unanimously to petition the Gen- 
eral Court to set off the district of Plainfield from Cummington, 
and incorporate it into a town." This was accordingly done, June 
15, 1807. 

It appears that this town has always been opposed to a division 
of the county. In 1805, this opposition was expressed by a unan- 
imous and very full vote; and in 1811, a similar vote passed 
unanimously. The division, however, could not be prevented; 
and, soon after this, to borrow the forcible language of president 
Dwight, a native of Northampton, "This noble county, after exist- 
ing as a fine Doric column of industry, good order, morals, learn- 
ing and religion in JMassachusetts for more than a century, was by 
an unwise legislature broken into three parts. Of its ruins 
were formed the three counties, of Franklin on the north, 
Hampshire in the middle, and Hampden on the south; each of 
them extending through the original breadth of the county of 
Hampshire. One political purpose, intended to be answered by 
this disruption, was to destroy the firm order and sound principles 
of the inhabitants. How far the plan will succeed, time alone can 
discover. From analogy it may be concluded, or, at least, ration- 
ally feared, that the inhabitants will lose some part of their elevation 
of character. Little counties almost of course have little officers, 
and little concerns; and the existence of these is but too common- 
ly followed by a contraction of views, a diminution of measures, a 
destruction of influence and a deterioration of character." 
A postoffice was established here in 1816. 

Represeniaiives. 

Previous to the incorporation of Plainfield as a town in 1807, 
the representatives were chosen by the inhabitants of Cumming- 
ton and Plainfield in join! meeting. When no date is given, the 
town was not represented. 



< 



55 

1786, William Ward of Cummington, 

1787, William Ward, 

1788, William Ward. 

1790, William Ward, 

1791, William Ward, 
1793, James Richards, 

1796, William Ward, 

1797, William Ward, 
1793, James Richards, 

1800, Ebenezcr Snell of Cummington, 

1801, James Richards, 

1802, Ebenezer Snell, 

1803, James Richards, 

1804, Ebenezer. Snell, 

1805, James Richards, 

1806, Peter Bryant of Cummington, 
Adam Packard of Cummington, 

1803, John Cunningham, 

1809, John Cunningham, 

1810, John Cunningham, 
iSll, James Richards, 

1812, James Richards, 

1813, John Hamlin, 

1814, John Hamlin, 

1815, John Hamlin, 

1816, James Richards, 
1819, Cyrus Joy, 
1821, Elijah Warner, 
1823, John Hamlin, 

1826, John Hamlin, 

1827, Elijah Warner, 
1823, John Mack, 

1829, John Mack, 

1830, John Mack, 

1831, Erastus Bates, 

1832, Erastus Bates, 

1833, Erastus Bates, 

1834, Erastus Bates. 

4 



26 

Delegate to a Convention from the Courdies of Hampshire, Frank- 
lin and Hampden at J^orthampton, July 14 and 15, 1812. 
JNiehemiah Joy. 

Delegate to the Convention for revising the Constitution, J^ovem- 
ber, 1820. 
James Richards. 

Justices of the Peace, 

Appointed, 
June S, 1802, James Richards, commission expired January 28, 

1830; 
May 23, 1812, Ebeuezer Colson, removed to Hamilton, New 

York, INIay, 1816; 
June 18, IS19, Cyrus Joy, removed toNew York, 1824; 
February 19, 1827, Iram Packard, removed to Ohio, September, 

1832; 
February 25, 1828, Elijah Warner; 

March 11, 1830, John Mack, died February 15, 1833, aged 54; 
March 23, !833, Erastus Bates, removed to Ohio, May, 1834; 
February 7, 1834, Leavitt Hallock. 

Altornies. 

Several attornies have practiced here, each for a short time; 
but no one lias met with sufficient encouragement to make it his 
permanent residence. 

Physicians. 

Solomon Bond, Barney Torrey, Jacob Porter and Samuel Shaw 
have successively practiced physic in this place. The last named 
is a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society. 

Militia. 

There are two companies of militia; an artillery company with 
two brass field pieces, and a company of infantry. Their discipline 
is thought to be fully equal to that of the neighboring towns. 



27 

Revolutionary Pensioners. 

Lemuel Allis, $96,09 

Joseph Barnard, 96, CO 

Ebenezer Bisbec, 20,00 

John Campbell, died April 26, 1833, aged SO, 23,33 

Vinson Curtis, 80,C0 

Ebenezer Dickinson, 30,00 

James Dyer, 100,00 

Joseph Gloyd, 20,00 

Reverend Moses Hallock, 23,33 

Jacob Nash, 100,00 

Philip Packard, 96,C0 

Whitcomb Pratt, SO.OQ 

James Richards, Q.5,5o 

Josiah Shaw, 80.00 

Samuel Streeter, 96, CO 

Josiah Torrey, 106,66 

Caleb White, 32,33 

The Poor. 

The poor have, in some instances, been struck off at auction to 
the lowest bidder. At other times, perhaps more generally, they 

have been committed to the care of the overseers of the poor, to 

be provided for according to their best discretion. The cost of 
supporting them has never been great. At present, only one 
person is assisted by the town, at an expense of 72 cents a week,= 
37 dollars, 44 cents a year. 

Taxes for 1834. 

Minister's salary, $400,00 
For the support of schools, 350,00 
For the support of the poor and other neces- 
sary charges, 300,00 
For the repair of highways, 600,00 



28 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

Congregational Society. 

Previous to the incorporation of Plainfield as a district, the 
inhabitants attended divine service at Cummington, and formed 
part of the ministerial charge of the Reverend James Briggs, who 
was ordained there July 7, 1779, It appears that, on leaving his 
ministry, measures were almost immediately taken to set up pub- 
lic worship among themselves; for, on the eleventh of August, 
1785, the following vote was passed: " Voted to raise fourteen 
pounds to hire preaching the present year." Similar votes occur 
frequently in the early records. 

A church of fourteen members was organized here August 31, 
178^. The following confession of faith and church covenant 
were adopted, and have ever since continued in force. 

•* Confession of Faith. 

"Article 1. We believe there is one only living and true God, 
in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; and 
that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

"2. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testa- 
ment are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice. 
"3. We believe that man was created in the image of God, 
holy and upright; and that God entered into a covenant of life 
with him upon condition of perfect obedience, particularly forbid- 
ding him to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil upon pain 
of death. 

" 4. We believe that our first parents sinned by eating of the 
forbidden fruit, and, as Adam was a public head and representa- 
tive, he, by his disobedience, exposed himself and all his posterity 
to the wrath of God and everlasting death. 

" 5. We believe that God of his mere grace and good pleasure, 
has determined to save some of the lost children of men; and that 
those, whom he has thus chosen, he will, in his own time, effectu- 
ally call and finally save. 

" 6. We believe that the holy scriptures reveal the only method 
God has proposed for their salvation, and that, in order to execute 



t9 

the purposes of hii grace tliercin, he has appointed his Son Jesus 
Christ to he the only mediator and Savior of sinners, whom lie 
sent into the world in our nature, "that whosoever believeth in 
him should not perish, but have eternal life;" and that, through his 
perfect righteousness and atonement, all, who believe, and no 
others, are justified and saved. 

" 7. We believe that no man in a natural state has a disposition 
to come to Christ, or power to do any thing, by which he can merit 
salvation; and that they, who do come, are made willing by the 
saving influence of God's spirit, working in them to will and do of 
his own good pleasure. 

"8. We believe that, at the last day, Christ will raise the dead 
and judge the world in righteousness, and will receive the righteous 
to everlasting life, and condemn the wicked to everlasting punish- 
ment." 

" Church Covenant. 

*' We publicly declare our serious belief of the Christian relig- 
ion contained in the sacred scriptures of the Old and New Testa- 
ment, and as is, in general, exhibited in the Assembly's Shorter 
Catechism; and, in humble reliance on the aid of divine grace, 
we heartily resolve to conform ourselves to the rules of Christ's 
holy religion as long as we live. 

" We therefore give ourselves to God, to walk with him in a 
a life of holy obedience, acknowledging our obligations to glorify 
him in all the duties of the Christian life, in sobriety and godliness, 
relying on Christ, our Savior, for eternal salvation. Particularly, 
we desire and engage, in reliance on divine grace, to walk together 
as a church of Christ in the faith and order of the gospel, accord- 
ing to all the ordinances of it; conscienciously attending the public 
worship of God, the sacraments of the New Testament, gospel dis- 
cipline, and all Christ's holy institutions; communing with and 
watching over one another according to the rules of the gospel; 
" studying the things, that make for peace, and things whereby 
one may edify another." 

" We further engage religiously to instruct our offspring in the 
doctrines of the Christian religion, and carefully to " bring them 
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" in all relying on 



so 

divine grace, and praying that God would "make us perfect in 
every good Avork, to do his will, working in us that, which is well 
pleasing in his sight." 

On the fourteenth of May, 17S7, the district voted unanimously 
to give Mr. James Thomson a call to settle with them in the gospel 
ministry, (the church having previously passed a similar vote,) and 
to give him a yearly salary of sixty pounds in specific articles. 
This invitation was declined. 

August 16, 1787, a committee was appointed "to measure and 
find the center of Plainfield, and likewise to agree upon a place, 
which they shall think most proper for erecting a meeting house." 
May 23, 1791, a spot of ground was agreqd on for building a 
meeting house; and October 27, it was voted to build the meeting 
house, and that it should be 55 feet and a half by 42 feet and a 
half. November 23, a committee consisting of Caleb White, 
captain John Cunningham, captain James Richards, Andrew Cook 
and John Hamlin was appointed " to procure materials and carry 
on the building of said meeting house in such a manner as shall be 
most advantageous to the district, according to their best discre- 
tion." 

April 23, 1792, " Voted that the owners of pews in the meeting 
house procure rum to raise said building." The meeting house 
was raised soon alter; but, owing to the limited resources of the 
district at that time, it was not completed till 1797. It was then 
dedicated on the fifteenth of June; two sermons being preached on 
the occasion; one by the Reverend Aaron Bascom of Chester, the 
other by the Reverend John Leland of Partridgefield, now Peru. 
The meeting house contained 44 pews below and 19 in the gallery. 
To this number two were afterwards added above, and two below. 
One pew was reserved for the use of the minister. 

March 8, 1791, the church " voted to give Mr. Moses Hallock 
a call to settle with them in the work of gospel ministry." March 
14, the district passed the same vote unanimously, also " voted 
that the following offers should be made to Mr. Ilallock for his 
settlement and maintenance; to wit, ninety pounds for his settle- 
ment; and forty-five pounds a year for the two first years, then to 
increase five pounds a year until it amounts to sixty pounds, there 
to remain." To this invitation the candidate gave his answer in 
the negative, on account of infirm health. 



81 

March S, 1792, the church " voted to renew the call to the said 
Hallock." In this vote the district concurred, March 12, and 
made hiin the same oflers lor his settlement and salary as before; 
" his settlement and salary to be paid, one quarter in cash, and 
the other three quarters in farm produce at cash price." 

His answer being in the affirmative, he was ordained July 11. 
The sermon was preached by the Reverend Samuel Whitman of 
Goshen, from this text in Ezekiel: "And they shall teach my 
people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause 
them to discern between the unclean and the clean." This dis- 
course, probably in an enlarged form, was published at Northampton, 
under the title of "Two Sermons, the Substance of which wa3 
preached at the Ordination of the Ilev. Moses Hallock, to the 
Pastoral Care of the Church in PJainfield, July 11, 1792." Of 
this pamphlet, which is now very scarce, there is a copy in the 
Antiquarian Hall at Worcester, and another in the library of the 
writer. It is believed that this is the only sermon or address of 
any kind delivered in Plainfield, that has ever been committed to 
the press. 

The Reverend Moses Hallock was born on Long Island, Feb- 
ruary IG, 1760. Before devoting himself to study, he spent some 
time in the revolutionary army. He received his education at 
Yale College, where he was graduated in 1788. His studies in 
divinity were pursued under the instruction of the Reverend Sam- 
uel Whitman of Goshen, where his parents resided. His labors, 
during the long period of his ministry, have been acceptable and 
useful in a remarkable degree. In the discharge of his duty, 

"He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, 

Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." — Goldsmith. 

A mutual interchange of good offices between him and the mem- 
bers of his society has long since closely knit the ties of alTection. 
There have been several very interesting revivals of religion 
during his ministry. " It pleased God graciously to pour out his 
holy spirit upon the people of this place in the year 1790. Its 
firit a;)pearance was on the fifteenth of August ; and, in consequence 
of this glorious work, 17 joined the church in one day." "Tow- 
ards the close of the year 1797, it pleased Gad once more to visit 
this place with a remarkable effusion of his holy spirit. The 
awakening was, more or less, in almost every part of the town, and, 



32 

in some parts, very powerful. And, in consequence of this mar- 
velous work of divine grace, 31 persons joined the church the 
following year, the most of whom trust they were born of God in 
this awakening." " July 1, 1798, 24 persons adorned the alley at 
one time, and appeared to rejoice at an opportunity to confess the 
Lord Jesus." 

In 1800 an excellent bell was procured, partly at the expense of 
the district, and partly by subscription. It was cast at New Haven 
by Fenton and Cochran, and weighs about 650 pounds. A bellfry 
with a steeple, to which is attached a lightning rod, was erected at 
the same time. 

In the early part of the year 1808, there was a great revival 
of religion, and 34 were admitted to the church on the first of May, 
and 26 on the third of July. 

In 1813, and for some time afterwards, the Unitarian controversy 
produced considerable excitement; and, in 1816, one brother was 
suspended from the church, and afterwards excommunicated for 
publicly dissenting from the creed, and expressing his disbelief of 
the doctrine of the trinity and the supreme deity of Jesus Christ. 

A Sunday school, consisting of 109 scholars, was established 
here in May, 1819. This has ever since been continued with 
great and increasing usefulness. 

In 1822, two stoves for warming the meeting house were pro- 
cured, and placed near the pulpit. 

In 1823 an elegant London copy of Gurney's Family Bible, 
published in 1816, and embellished with a series of engravings from 
paintings by the first artists, was presented for the pulpit by James 
Hay ward, tutor in Harvard College. The' practice of publicly 
reading the scriptures on the Lord's day had been introduced some 
years before. 

January 5, 1823, 10 persons were admitted into the church; No- 
vember 4, 1827, 29 persons were admitted. 

June 3, 1829, the Reverend John H. Russ was ordained here 
as an evangelist by the Mountain Association; sermon by the 
Reverend William A. Hawley of Hinsdale. 

August 23, 1830, the church chose a committee to superintend 
the monthly distribution of tracts. This distribution has been 
attended to since, though not with all the regularity, that could be 
wished. 



33 

Jh the spring of 1829, the venerable minister of the society, after 
having discharged the duties of his oflice with uncommon fidelity 
for nearly 37 years, made the following communication to his be- 
loved people. 

" To the Inhabitants of the Town of Plahificld. 

" INFy brethren and friends, the time approaches when I shall 
no longer be your minister. This awfully responsible, though 
pleasant work must soon be committed to the hands of some other 
man. I have entered my seventieth year, " and know not the day 
of my death." AVhcn a parent is about to die, he endeavors to set 
his house in order, that it may be well with his family after hi^ 
decease. With equal ardor I desire that you, as a religious com- 
munity, may have a good minister of Jesus Christ when my lips 
shall be unable to keep knowledge. Before I die, I wish to see 
my pulpit occupied by such a minister: And may he be far more 
useful to old and young than his predecessor, and as mnch 
respected, 

" As soon as you are ready to settle another minister, which will 
probably be in a year or tv/o, I will consent, the church and con- 
gregation requesting it, that the ordaining council should dismiss 
me on the day of ordination. 

"It is not uncommon, in cases like this, that the town make 
some provision for the support of the worn out pastor. If you should 
please, by legal vote, to commit to my disposal as my own property 
the pew, which my family occupy, or some other as valuable, and 
also to exempt me and the little property I may possess from all 
kinds of taxation during my life, it will be thankfully accepted. 

Moses Hallock. 
March 2, 1S29." 

To this communication a committee, appointed for the pur- 
pose, made the following report: 

*• To the Inhabitants of the Town of Plainjield. 

" Fellow citizens, your committee can not but regard the subject 
committed to them for consideration as of immense moment, as a 
subject specially involving both the temporal and eternal interests 
of the present and succeeding generations of the inhabitants of this 



34 

town. Perhaps there is no subject, upon which a town is called 
to act, that is more calculated to test the stability, or the peace 
and union of the society, or which is attended with more important 
results than the dismissing and settling of a minister. Our 
reverend pastor, in his communication, apprises the people of this 
town that such an important and trying season among us is not far 
distant. 

" " The time approaches," says he, " when I shall no longer 
be your minister. This awfully responsible, though pleasant work 
must soon be committed to the hands of some other man." 

" As we are called upon to reply to our minister's proposals, 
and to act as the first moving committee on the part of the town 
in advisin;T with reference to future proceedings towards accom- 
plishing the great object we have in view, we can not but be sensi- 
ble that an important trust is reposed in us, which requires on our 
part much caution and deliberation. We hope we shall all be able 
to treat the subject with that candor, which it demands, and also 
advise to such measures as will issue in happy results. 

" In the first place, we would express our most cordial approba- 
tion of the course, which our aged pastor has taken to make known 
his desires to his people, and effect the object he has in view. 

" We do regard this communication as a timely and well advised 
effort on the part of Mr. Hallock to promote the future well- 
being of his people, and to perpetuate that union and harmony, 
for which we, as a religious community, have been so long distin- 
guished. More conciliatory and liberal propositions he could not 
have made. He hereby evinces that he seeks not ours but us; 
that he still retains an affectionate regard for the dear people, over 
which the holy spirit hath so long made him overseer. And his 
solicitude for us extends beyond the time when he shall have 
ceased to be our minister, or shall have closed his eyes in death. 
To use his own similitude: "When a parent is about to die, he en- 
deavors to set his house in order, that it may be well with his 
family after his decease. With equal ardor I desire that you, as a 
religious community, may have a good minister of Jesus Christ 
when my lips shall be unable to keep knowledge." When we 
reflect that more than half his days have been spent in our service, 
and take into consideration the mutual confidence and affection, 
that have so long subsisted between him and his people, the appa- 



S5 

rent success, which has attended his ministry, the hnrmony and 
good feeling, which have prevailed in church and society, the 
several revivals of religion and frequent instances of conv^sion, 
which have been witnessed, together with the gradual advance of 
the church in numbers, and we hope also in piety; we say, when 
these and other considerations as fruits of his faithfulness urge 
themselves upon us, the thought of dissolving our connection with 
him as our pastor is a painful reflection. But, as it is certain, 
according to the common course of nature, that he must soon be- 
come unable, either by the infirmities of age or the arrest of death, 
to officiate in ministerial duties, we, therefore, concur with his 
proposals, and think it expedient to have another minister settled 
before his decease, as we shall probably succeed better, and more 
to the satisfaction of all parties, now than when deprived of the 
counsel and cooperation of our present minister. 

" Concerning the time when we shall settle another minister, 
Mr. Hallock himself has given intimations in his communication. 
Should we become united in a candidate, perhaps some period 
within the limits of the time, which he proposed, which was a year 
or two, would suit the wishes and convenience of the people as 
well as any other. 

" In order to avail ourselves of the best and most favorable 
opportunity of securing a candidate, who will be most likely to 
answer our desires and comply with our terms, we think it proper 
for us to put ourselves in readiness so to do. We therefore advise 
that, according to common custom, there be a committee chosen, 
of equal numbers from the church and society, to act in concert, 
whose duty it shall be to look out and engage a suitable person, 
against the season of trial, as a candidate for our future minister. 

" Whether Mr. Hallock shall be dismissed on the day of ordi- 
nation, as he intimated, or continue as our senior pastor, we do not 
advise, but submit for future consideration, particularly wishing, 
however, that the feelings and desires of the two ministers, the 
present pastor and his successor, may be consulted and complied 
with. 

"As to the pecuniary proposals, which he has made, we consider 
them as liberal in the extreme. " In cases like this," as he says, 
" it is not uncommon that the town make some provision for the 
support of the worn out pastor." This they generally do, either hy 



38 

continuing a part of his salary during his life, or by making him a 
generous donation at the time of his dismission. But Mr. Hallock 
asks«o such provision of us: Indeed, he claims nothing, but barely 
says, "If you should please, by legal vote, to commit to my disposal 
as my own property the pew, which my family occupy, or some 
other as valuable, and also to exempt me and the little property I 
may possess from all kinds of taxation during my life, it will be 
thankfully accepted." 

" To the granting of these favors and more than these, should it 
be necessary to his or his family's comfort, we are confident 
there cannot be a dissenting voice in town. 

James Richards, "" 

Robert Beals, 

Erastus Bates, 

Joshua Reed, ^ Committee, 

JoHX Packard, 

John. Mack, 

JosiAH Shaw, junior, 

Plainfield, April 6, 1829." 

This year the meeting house was painted anew; the outside 
white, and the inside, except the pews, of a beautiful cream color. 
The pulpit was rebuilt by subscription in the modern style; cur- 
tains of bombazet were furnished for the window, and the pulpit 
dressed with damask fringed with rich and elegant drapery, all of 
red, by John INIack, esquire. The house now makes a handsome 
appearance; indeed, it is believed that few churches, erected forty 
years since, discover so good a taste, or are, in all respects, so 
convenient. 

July 2, 1830, the following resolution was adopted by the church, 
•'that the practice of dressing in mourning for the loss of friends 
is needless." 

March 1, 1830, the town voted to raise one hundred dollars to 
hire a candidate. After hearing one candidate, who, on account 
of infirm health, was not invited to settle, the Reverend David 
Kimball preached here on probation; and, on the twenty-fifth of 
October, the town voted, by a majority of 79 to 9, to invite him to 
settle with them in the work of the ministry, with a salary of 400 
dollars a year. The church passed a similar vote, November 1, 
and " a call was forwarded to Mr. Kimball, and an answer received, 
(sigaifying his acceptance." 



37 

March 1, 1831, a council, of which the Reverend Jonathan L, 
Pomeroy of Worthington acted as moderator, was convened, and 
voted to proceed to installation the next day. The installation 
took place accordingly: The hundred and thirty-second psalm was 
read, and the introductory prayer offered by the Reverend Henry 
B. Holmes of Goshen; sermon, by the Reverend Thomas Shep- 
hard of Ashfield, from this text in Exodus, "Behold, the children 
of Israel have not hearkened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear 
me?" installation prayer, by the Reverend Jonathan Grout of 
Hawley; charge to the pastor, by the senior pastor; right hand of 
fellowship, by the Reverend Roswell Hawks of Cummington; charge 
to the people, by the Reverend Jonathan L. Pomeroy; concluding 
prayer, by the Reverend Benjamin F. Clarke of Buckland. 

The Reverend David Kimball v/as born at Hopkinton, New 
Hampshire, March 18, 1791, and educated at Yale College, the 
usual honors of which he received in 1818 and 1821. He studied 
divinity at Andover, and was ordained over the societies in Mar- 
tinsburg and Lowville, New York, June 29, 1822, and dismissed 
at his own request, October 17, 1830. 

November 6, 1831, 21 persons were admitted to the church, a 
protracted meeting having been held some time before. 

The present number of communicants it is difficult to ascertain 
as the members are not always careful to remove their relations 
with their residence. It is supposed to be nearly 200. 

Deacons. 

Chosen, 
November 15, 1792, John Packard, died September 28, 1807, 

aged 71 ; 
November 15, 1792, James Richards; 

April 29, 1803, Joseph Beals, died July 20, 1813, aged 61; 
September 23, 1813, Robert Beals; 
June 27, 182S, Erastus Bates, removed to Ohio, May, 1834. 

Baptist Society. 

A Baptist society was formed in the eastern part of the town, 
February 25, 1833, the first meeting being called by Asa Thayer 
under a warrant from Nehemiah Richards, esquire, of Cummington. 



38 

The church was organized June 18, 1833, by an ecclesiastical 
council, Eider David Wright of Curnmington acting as moderator. 

" Jlrticles of Faith and Practice. 

" Article 1. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New 
Testaments were written by inspiration of God, and are the only 
rule of faith and practice. 

" 2. We believe that there is but one only living and true God, 
revealed in the scriptures as the Father, the Son and the Holy 
Spirit, who are the same in essence, power and glory; and that he 
exercises a particular providence over all beings and things. 

"3. We believe that the first Adam was created perfect, but, by 
his disobedience to the law of his Creator, himself and all his pos- 
terity became sinners, and possess a depraved nature, disinclined 
to doing good, and prone to choose and delight in evil; whence the 
absolute necessity of regeneration, which can be effected only by 
almighty power. 

"4. We believe that God from eternity purposed the salvation 
of sinners by the incarnation, obedience, sufferings, death, resur- 
rection, ascension and intercession of his beloved Son, who, in the 
fulness of time, really assumed human nature; and so being truly 
God and truly man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between 
God and man, by the sacrifice of himself made suitable atonement 
for sin, "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but 
have eternal life." 

"5. We believe that the Holy Spirit applies the benefits of 
Christ's atonement, by convincing us of our sin and misery, re- 
newing our wills, revealing the glory and ability of Christ to save, 
and persuading and enabling us to embrace Christ as he is freely 
offered in the gospel, who of God is made unto us wisdom and 
righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 

" 6. We believe that all, who are chosen by the Father, and 
redeemed by the Son, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, will cer- 
tainly and finally persevere in faith, obedience and holiness by 
grace unto eternal life. 

" 7. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, 
both the just and unjust, and that Christ will come a second time, 
to judge the world in righteousness, whenhewill punish the wicked 



i' 



S9 

with everlasting destruction, and introduce the saints into his king- 
dom of glory to he forever with him. 

" 8. We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's day 
or Christian sabhalh, and tliat it is our duty to assemhle on that day 
for the worship of G(kI in the various exercises of Christian devotion. 

" 9. We helicvc that a visible church of Christ is a number of 
believers, who have covenanted to maintain together the worship, 
doctrine, institutions and duties of the gospel of Christ. 

" 10. We believe that baptism and the Lord's supper are the 
special ordinances of Christ's church, to be continued until his 
second coming; and that those only are to be admitted to the 
communion of the church, and to participate in all its privileges, 
who, upon the profession of their faith, have been baptized in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Lloly Spirit. 

''11. We believe that a church of Christ is an inc'ependent 
body, having full power to receive, discipline, dismiss and expel its 
own members, to elect and dismiss its own officers, and to manage 
its own concerns according to the scriptures, and that councils and 
associations have only advisory powers. 

" 12. We believe that the only permanent officers of the church 
are elders or pastors and deacons; that the pastor is to preach the 
word, to administer baptism and the Lord's supper, to oversee the 
church, and to preside in discipline; and that he is to be highly 
esteemed in love for his work's sake, and liberally and voluntarily 
supplied with carnal things according to the respective ability of 
the members; — and that the deacons are to oversee and manage 
the temporals of the church. 

" Church Covenant. 

" Having been baptized, upon the profession of our faith, in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we 
do now, in the presence of the heart searching God, and in the 
presence of these witnesses, voluntarily devote ourselves to God 
according to the gospel of his Son, and to this church as members 
of it, receiving its articles of faith and practice as agreeable to the 
word of God, and promising to adhere to them in sentiment and 
practice, and to submit to the discipline of the church, so long as 
we continue satisfied that they are scriptural. 



40 

" We likewise engage to attend public worship statedly with this 
church, so far as may be consistent with duty, and endeavor to 
bring up our families in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; 
and also to attend church meetings and conferences, and all other 
appointments of the church, whenever it is practicable, 

"Moreover, we esteem it our duty to walk in wisdom towards 
them, that are without, and to cullivate brotherly love among our- 
selves; — to watch over, exhort, sympathize with and pray for each 
other; — to bear with one another's failings and infirmities,'^ and, 
when the case requires, to warn, rebuke and admonish one another, 
according to the gospel. 

" And may the God of all grace enable us always to keep in 
mind our present engagements, so long as we are continued in this 
church; and may he still add unto it of such as shall be saved. 

" " Now unto him, that is able to keep us from falling, and to 
present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding 
joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, do- 
minion and power, both now and ever. Amen." " 

The number of church members is 22. The meetings of the 
society are commonly held in the brick schoolhouse. 

Deacons. 

. Chosen, 

August, 1833, Asa Thayer; 
August, 1833, Jeremiah Stockwell, junior. 

NOTICE OF THE MOUNTAIN MILLER, AN AUTHENTIC 
NARRATIVE, BY WILLIAM A. HALLOCK. 

Deacon Joseph Beala, who will be known, through the future 
ages of the church, as the Mountain Miller, was a native of 
Bridgewater in this state, and removed with his family to this 
place in 1779. Here, in 1789, a year of great scarcity, he met 
with a severe affliction, the loss of his house and nearly all his 
provisions by fire. Previous to this, he had been depending on his 
external morality for salvation, considering a change of heart as 
unnecessary. He now found, however, that he could not truly sub- 
mit to the will of God, and betook himself to the seeking of his 
salvation in earnest. After a season of distressing anxiety, the 



41 

Savior was pleased to reveal himself to his soul as the chief among 
ten thousand, and altogether lovely, and " he suddenly broke forth 
in new strains of devotion, penitence and praise for redeeming 
love." From this time he consecrated himself to the service of 
his Savior, and became distinguished for his meekness and humility, 
his life of prayer, his exeniplary deportment at all times, and in all 
places, particula'Iy in the house of God, his abiding sense of the 
uncertainty of life and the retributions of eternity, his preciousness 
to the awakened sinner, his care for the spiritual welfare of his 
family, and of all, with whom the providence of God brought him 
in contact, his perseverance in doing good, and his uniform and 
consistent piety. "His conversation would never tire, and it 
seemed that he w^as never tired of religious conversation." 

He died after a short sickness, July 20, 1813. "His body," 
says the v/riter of the tract, " was interred in the graveyard, near 
his accustomed place of worship, where a plain and neat marble 
slab, bearing his name, age and the date of his death, is erected as 
the only memorial of the IMountain IMiller. A notice of his death 
was inserted in the county newspaper, with this expressive and 
appropriate remark; " His presence animated the Christian, and 
awed the sinner;" which v.-ould have been his whole recorded story, 
had not some special indications of providence convinced the writer 
of this narrative of his duty to communicate it for the benefit, he 
trusts, of thousands." 

The pious traveler will hereafter delight to visit the place con- 
secrated by the residence of the Mountain IMillcr, to drink at the 
spring by the road side, bursting from the rocks, and shaded by 
the two beautiful sugar maples, where he so often drank in passing 
between his house and mill, and, above all, to linger at the grave of 
this devoted servant of the Most High. From this spot flowers 
have already been culled, and sent to different parts of this country 
and of Europe. 

This tract, which now takes its place by the side of the Dairy- 
man's Daughter and the Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, was first 
published by the American Tract Society in 1831. Within one 
year 140,000 copies were printed, and the whole impression 
amounted to 168,000. In 1833 the tract was carefully revised, and 
stereotyped anew, and another edition of 168,000 copies was struck 
oflT. 



42 

In the Seventh and Eighth Reports of the Bociety the following 
instances are given of its usefulness. 

" It was presented to a family in humble circumstances in Con- 
necticut. The wife read it, and, while perusing the last page, 
became deeply affected with her lost and ruined state as a sinner. 
Her convictions were pungent and distressing; and, in two or three 
days, she was rejoicing in hope. This so affected her husband, that 
he too became alarmed, and soon found peace in Christ. They 
sent for the minister of the place, and communicated to him the 
grateful news of what God had done for their souls. They had 
rarely attended public worship; — the husband had kept a tippling 
shop, which is now closed, and the business relinquished entirely," 

" A distributer in New Jersey called on an aged man, who had 
never read a tract, and said he did not need nor wish to read one. 
He was induced, however, to accept the Mountain Miller. He 
was not only interested in reading it, but his mind became seriously 
alarmed. He saw that his morality, in which he trusted, could not 
save him, and that he needed a better righteousness than his own, 
and he now trusts that he has found mercy with God through 
him, who was crucified." 

In the American Tract Magazine for February, 1834, is the fol- 
lowing testimony from Mr. Morley of Union College. " In one 
family," says he, " I left the Mountain Miller. Four weeks after, 
I called again, and it had been read by twenty families, and was 
still circulating. As soon as one family had read it, another was 
anxious to receive it. It was recently read at a prayer meeting, 
and the whole audience were affected -to tears. In a number of 
families where it was read, it had a similar effect. It has been the 
instrument of arousing many professors, and awakening a number 
of the careless from their long slumbers in sin." 

The same society has also published the tract in the German 
language. It has also been reprinted by the Religious Tract Soci- 
ety of London; and in France it has been translated and published 
in the language of the country by the Religious Tract Society of 
Paris. 

The author received 50 dollars for writing this tract; (presented 
to the American Tract Society, to be given as a prize for the best 
narrative tract.) This sum he generously devoted for the purpose of 
perpetuating the tract. 



43 
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 

Plainfield Tract Society. This society, which wag formed sev- 
eral years since, lately became auxiliary to the American Tract 
Society at New York. 

Foreign Missionary Association of Plainfield, subsidiary to the 
Foreign Missionary Society of Northampton and the Neighboring 
Towns, formed in 1824. 

Bible Association of Plainfield, auxiliary to the Hampshire Bible 
Society, formed in 1826, In the grand effort for supplying the 
United States with Bibles, a few years sincc,this society paid more 
than a hundred dollars. 

Temperance Association of Plainfield, auxiliary to the Hamp- 
sliire County Temperance Society. This flourishing society was 
formed June 27, 1828, and now consists of about 500 members, 
none being admitted under 12 years of age. The inhabitants have 
great reason to felicitate themselves on the progress of the temper- 
perance cause among them. Though this was never considered an 
intemperate place, when compared with its sister towns, yet, a few 
years since, there were six licensed houses, and, at the principal 
store, there were sold 12 hogsheads of ardent spirits in a year. 
Now there are but two licensed houses; and, at the same store, 
there is sold about a barrel in the same period of time. The num- 
ber of intemperate persons is greatly diminished; and there is an 
improvement in the manners and morals of the people, which is 
truly gratifying. 

Home Missionary Association of Plainfield, auxiliary to the 
Hampshire Missionary Society, formed in 1831. 
Female Benevolent Society, formed May 14, 1833. 
Maternal Association of Plainfield, formed May 2, 1834. 
There are resident in this place two directors for life, and one 
life member of the American Bible Society, two life members of 
the American Home Missionary Society, a member for life of the 
the American Society for Meliorating the Condition of the Jews, 
and a life director and eight life members of the American Tract 
Society at New York. 

FIRES. 

Joseph Beals's house was burnt, February, 1789. 

About the beginning of the year 1819, the house of Benjamin 



44 

Gardiner, junior, and Warren Gardner was consumed by nre, 
April 22, 1S24, Ira Hamlin's house, including a hat manufactory, 
was burnt. 

February, 1825, the cloth manufactory, belonging to Arnold and 
Nahuin Streeter, was consumed by fire. 

December 13, 1833, the house of Stallham Rice was burnt with 
all its contents, Ihe family being absent. 

Four schoolhouses have been destroyed by fire, the last on the 
third of December, 1833. Two of these were in the north-east dis- 
trict. T.iare have alsa been burnt four mechanics' shops and a 
small-ifis'illrry. 

The necessities of those, who have suffered by fire, have been 
liberally supplied, and their losses, in a good degree, compensated 
by the kindness of the people. Very few of the inhabitants have 
availed themselves of the benefits of the insurance ~office, five 
buildings only being jinsured. 

The houses are generally of wood; in a few instances of brick, 
with underpinning and window caps and sills of West Stockbridge 
marble. 

INCIDENTS. 

Not long after the erecting of the bellfry, as some fellows were 
playing around the meeting house, one of them, having a plentiful 
sf.arcity of wit, threw up a stone, which struck the cock, which is 
placed as a v.aae on the summit of the spire, and bent his tailfeafh- 
ers. His comrades told him that he would be put to death, unless 
he went up and straitened them. In this dilemma, he climbed up 
by the lightning rod as far as the bell, where he rested a while, and 
then ascended to the vane, and, after effecting his purpose, re- 
turned without meeting with any accident. 

In June, 1829, as captain Levi Cook Was engaged in shoeing a 
yoke of oxen, one of the animals being fastened by a chain to a 
staple, in attempting to extricate himself, pulled out the staple, and, 
in doing this, threw the chain around the legs of the unfortunate 
man, the hook hitching into one of the links; and, in this situation, 
he was drawn with great velocity about half a mile. The ox was 
then stopped by ahoy, and the unhappy man extricated himself from" 
his truly perilous situation. His body was severely mangled; but, 
after a tedious confinement, he recovered. 



I 

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